To use a grater shredder effectively, you simply rub the food item you wish to process against the abrasive surface of the grater.
Understanding Your Grater Shredder
Most grater shredders, often referred to as box graters, feature multiple sides, each with a different hole size designed for various textures, from fine shavings to coarse shreds. The core principle remains the same for all sides.
Basic Grating Technique
- Position the Grater: Place the grater on a stable surface, such as a cutting board, ensuring it is secure and won't slip.
- Select the Side: Choose the appropriate side of the grater based on the desired texture. For general grating or creating fine pieces, you might use a smaller hole size. As the reference states, when you rub "it against The Grater see how it falls off like little pieces of shaved ice. That's. What you want." This describes the result of effective grating.
- Apply Pressure: Hold the food item (e.g., a block of cheese, a carrot, or a potato) firmly in your hand.
- Rub Against the Surface: Gently but firmly rub the food item downwards against the chosen grating surface. The processed food will fall through the holes, collecting at the base of the grater or on your work surface.
Shredding with a Finer Grater
For shredding, particularly for items like cabbage or denser vegetables, you will typically use a side with larger, often tear-drop-shaped holes. The reference specifically advises, "use the finer grater for Shred." While this might seem counter-intuitive as "finer" usually implies smaller, in the context of box graters, the term "finer grater for Shred" often refers to a particular type of shredding surface that produces a desirable, often longer, shred rather than a powdery grate. Experimentation will show which side achieves the desired "shred."
Common Uses for Grated/Shredded Food:
- Toppings: As mentioned in the reference, you can "sprinkle this on top of your pasta" for added flavor and texture.
- Salads: Shredded vegetables like carrots or cabbage are excellent additions to salads.
- Baking: Grated cheese can be incorporated into casseroles or baked goods.
- Cooking: Shredded potatoes can be used for hash browns, and shredded ginger can add flavor to stir-fries.
By understanding the different surfaces and applying the simple technique of rubbing food against the grater, you can efficiently prepare ingredients for a wide range of culinary applications.
